The art of the narrative still life: a tribute in watercolour to the books and films about James Bond - originally created by Ian Fleming

Official Secrets

In which we find that the rumours of Bond’s demise at the hands of Blofeld and Irma Bunt were greatly exaggerated. M’s obit for Bond in The Times of London revealed his early history as a student at Eton and Fettes Colleges, his wartime career, and his service to the Crown - albeit classified - in the Ministry of Defense. Bond’s exploits were chronicled by foreign media, and a “series of popular books came to be written about him by a personal friend.” Back in his flat off the King’s Road, Bond’s mementos of his deadly career, as well as the novels, are proudly displayed on his library shelves. As M wrote, “if the quality of these books, or their degree of veracity, had been any higher, the author would certainly have been prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act.” It is a testament to Bond’s career that even to this day other writers have picked up the baton to enthrall the public with tales of Bond’s chosen profession: a secret agent with the license to kill.

Painting size: 13.5" w x 16.125" h

Giclée print on 110 lb Arches Watercolour paper: $200.00

Original Painting: $10,000.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

Man O'War

In which Bond has displayed on his Queen Anne sideboard an ironic “wink’s as good as a nod” to his retirement from MI6 as a secret agent. These artifacts are constant reminders of his close and frequent brush with death at the hands of enemy agents. They chronicle his loss of friends and loved ones - but also his personal triumphs over adversity and the obstacles thrown in his path. His official career may have quietly come to an end, like the grand old warship displayed upon his walls, but his work is yet to be done. He knows that his particular skills and talents may be called upon in the future by elements in the private sector, who require him to perform his services with a certain amount of finesse, subtlety and deadly discretion…He may be retired, but he still has the license to kill.

The Last voyage of an Old War Hero:

Q: It always makes me feel a little melancholy. Grand old war ship, being ignominiously hauled away to scrap... The inevitability of time, don't you think? What do you see?

Bond: A bloody big ship.

Painting size: 13.5" w x 16.125" h

Giclée print on 110 lb Arches Watercolour paper: $200.00

Original Painting: $10,000.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

Commissioned by the International Spy Museum, Washington, DC

Commander James Bond KCMG, DSO, OBE, RNVR, (Ret.) “A Deadly Career”

In which we find James Bond, retired from the Secret Service, and still living in his Chelsea flat, comfortably situated off the King’s Road. His treasured housekeeper, May, an elderly Scotswoman, has long since passed, and Bond has hired another woman to take her place. Arranged on a long Queen Anne table in Bond’s flat are mementos from his deadly career – objects representing his successes and failures in his line of business: killing enemies and foiling organizations that threaten the Crown, the Service, and himself.

These objects are tarnished with the long years of treachery, ruthlessness, and fear as is Bond. Each object tells a story, reminding him how close to death he came with every new assignment, every occasion when he was launched, like a loaded projectile, across the world toward some distant target of M’s choosing. Kill or be killed. Bond gave it little thought on the job, following every lead that would bring success and satisfaction to the Admiral to whom he had dedicated his loyalty, trust and life.

In the permanent collection of the International Spy Museum, Washington, DC.

A Deadly Career was commissioned by the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. It is currently displayed in their VIP/Executive Board Room. When the museum moves to their new building, it will be permanently displayed in their main conference area.

The painting records Bond's life as a spy & assassin - now retired - for Her Majesty's Government.

The Living Daylights: Killing Time

…in which Bond’s Russian counterpart, the infamous sniper known as Trigger, prepares to assassinate British Agent 272. The agent is trying to escape East Germany by running the gaunlet of No-Man’s Land, bringing back top secret plans for a new Russian missile project. Trigger, disguised as a member of a Russian women’s orchestra, carries her weapon in a cello case, and uses the background noise of the orchestra playing Prince Igor, by Borodine, to cover up the sound of her machine gun. While Trigger waits for the agent to make his break for freedom, she bides her time in quiet contemplation - and anticipation of a successful assignment. Little does she know that Bond has her in his sights…

Size: 12" x 18.125"

Print: $90 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $8,000.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

Dr. No: "(Stop) Suggest You Change Your Grocer (Stop)"

…in which Bond is in Jamaica on a routine investigation to locate two agents, who are MIA. After his cover is blown, a basket of fruit is sent to his hotel room - a gift, supposedly from the Acting Governor. Suspecting a ruse, Bond discovers discoloration and puncture marks in each piece of fruit. Believing it’s poisoned, he sends it off for analysis to Pleydell-Smith, who confirms his suspicion: each piece of fruit contains enough cyanide to kill a horse. Bond realizes this “act of war” is Dr. No’s plan to eliminate any investigation into his Crab Key Island activities - and Bond is his new target. Taking preemptive action, Bond and his old friend Quarrel sail under cover of night to the island, to infiltrate Dr. No’s operation, discover the secret he’s hiding, exercise Bond’s License to Kill to shut down any illegality - and terminate Dr. No - permanently.

Size: 9.75" x 18.125"

Print: $90 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $8,000.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

Diamonds are Forever: "The Trouble with Tiffany"

…in which Bond’s assignment is to impersonate a smuggler’s mule and infiltrate and disrupt the trafficking of illicit diamonds. Bond teams up with Tiffany Case, and devise a plan to bring $100,000 worth of diamonds into the US, inside Bond’s favorite golf balls - Dunlop 65’s. Bond’s payoff is $5,000 but payment is delayed after a jockey for the mob gets disqualified during a horse race in Saratoga, NY - a race upon which Bond was supposed to bet. He eventually collects his fee in a rigged Blackjack game with cards dealt by Tiffany at the Tiara in Las Vegas. Infuriating his “employers” by winning $20G of their money at Roulette, Bond is subjected to a “Brooklyn Stomping” by Wint and Kidd - torpedoes for the mob. Left for dead, Bond, with Tiffany’s help, derails the mobsters' train that blows up after hitting “the end of the line.” Making their escape, Bond and Tiffany board the Queen Elizabeth ocean liner for England, but Tiffany is captured by Wint and Kidd. Bond rescues her, kills both hit men, and eventually takes out the head of the operation in Africa, thus ending the global smuggling of diamonds.

Size" 12.25" x 18.125"

Print: $90 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $8,000.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

From Russia with Love: "SMERSH Konspiratsia - Beauty & the Beast"

...in which we find Bond being targeted to be “killed with ignominy” in a plan devised by Col. Rosa Klebb, chief torturer and Head of the Operations Department for SMERSH. Using beautiful Russian agent Tatiana Romanova as the “bait” to snare Bond, and top assassin Red Grant to kill him, Klebb puts her plans into action with the seduction and blackmail of Tatiana and promises of glory (and a medal) to Grant. Tatiana promises to provide Bond with the latest cipher machine, Spektor, if he will spirit her away to London - and out of the hands of the Russian Secret Service. Knowing it’s a trap, Bond lets the plan unfold from Istanbul to Greece, Belgrade to Venezia, and eventually to France on the Orient Express. On board, Grant, disguised as a fellow Englishman, tries to kill Bond, fails, and is killed by Bond instead. Once in Paris, Bond tracks down Col. Klebb at the Ritz Hotel and in the ensuing fight, is stabbed by the poison-tipped blade hidden in Klebb’s shoe. Klebb is taken into custody by Bond’s friend René Mathis, who saves Bond’s life in the nick of time.

Size: 12" x 16"

Print: $90 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $8,000.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

Moonraker: "Disinformation Served…Coffee and a Cover-up"

…in which we find Bond back at his Chelsea flat, enjoying his favorite meal of the day - breakfast - and reading the government’s disinformation campaign on the Moonraker disaster in the only paper he ever reads...The Times. After a hair-raising escape from ex-Nazi Hugo Drax, Bond, with the help of agent Gala Brand, recalibrates the flight path of the rocket, Moonraker, with its nuclear payload away from London. The two agents successfully foil Drax’s plans for the destruction of the City. Drax’s attempt to escape in a Russian submarine proves disastrous for him, his 50 ex-Nazi Werewolf assistants, and the Russian crew. The rocket crash lands at the recovery site and blows up the sub as it passes under the target zone. Whitehall goes into full damage control and spins the death of “National Hero” and “Great Patriot” Hugo Drax as a tragic loss to the nation. The PM convinces the Press to publish Whitehall’s version of “the truth” and they comply. M tells Bond that the government is “going to try the biggest cover-up in history.”

Size: 12" x 17"

Print: $90 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $8,000.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

…in which Bond is tasked to race a Maserati 250F at the Nürburgring - “a long, green scream” - and prevent the crash and death of Britain’s famous racer, Lancy Smith, staged by agents of SMERSH and Russian driver, Ivan Dimitrov. Success, and luck, is with Bond…he forces Ivan and his black Krassny off the track and into the trees. Captured aprés race by the evil Korean, Jason Sin, Bond is forced to choose from a deck of Hanafuda cards that will reveal his manner of death. Using the “single-handed annulment” devised by card master John Scarne, Bond cheats and draws a blank card. In a rage, Sin chooses for Bond. “Buried Alive” is the death Bond faces. Will he die, or will he live to prevent Jason Sin’s nefarious plan from taking place in New York.

Size: 9" x 11"

Print: $60 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $6,500.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

From a View to a Kill: "There Were Bits of Her in the Glove Compartment"

…in which Bond is sitting at a bar in Paris, his reverie shattered by a Peugeot 403 screaming to a halt, and the lovely female driver making her way to him with a breathless, “Crash dive - you’re wanted at the office.” Ordered to find and eliminate the assassins of British dispatch riders, Bond works with Agent 765, Mary Ann Russell, commandeers her Peugeot - the car is filled with her presence - and discovers that Russians are behind the killings. In the process of taking down the gang, Bond’s life is saved by Russell, who shoots his assailant with a .22 calibre target pistol.

Size: 7.5" x 14.5"

Print: $90 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $6,500.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

Hildebrand Rarity: "The Corrector & The Collector"

A Cabinet of Curiosities…in which Bond helps his friend, Fidele Barbey, pilot a yacht to the Seychelle Islands for business tycoon Milton Krest. Krest’s goal is to kill or buy as many rare species from the Island and sell them to the Smithsonian. Arrogant, abusive to everyone - Krest whips his wife with a stingray tail he calls The Corrector - he is murdered at night by an unknown assailant. Bond tidies up the crime scene, throws Krest overboard to the sharks, and reflects upon the morality of killing - feeling justified that Milton Krest got exactly what he deserved.

Meet Milton Krest:Abusive: he whips his wife at the slightest provocation with “the Corrector”Arrogant: a Prussian pro-Nazi, Krest summons his German thugs like dogs with a silver whistle…threatens to have Bond thrown overboard for lack of servilityAlcoholic: sober/intolerable - drunk/violent - Krest is aggressive to those around himFilthy Rich: clawed his way to the top - so he deserves nothing but the bestCollector: money buys everything and everyone - including his 5 wivesBut Death waits patiently for Krest on board his yacht…

Original Painting: $8,000.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

For Your Eyes Only: "Never Send a Man Where You Can Send a Bullet"

…in which Bond goes clandestine and “off the record” to find, identify, and deliver final judgment upon three hit men and their boss, Von Hammerstein - an ex-Gestapo thug, turned head of Counter Intelligence for Batista - who had murdered close personal friends of M in Jamaica. Bond mulls over his assignment - he had no personal motive - it was just his job, as it was the job of a pest control officer to kill rats. He was the public executioner appointed by M to avenge the victims.

Size: 8.375" square

Print: $60 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $4,500.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

Thunderball: "Cardboard Hero - Spectre of Defeat"

…in which Domino, drinking Veuve Cliquot champagne, reveals to Bond that her Hero - the Sailor on the pack of Player’s Navy Cut cigarettes - was her one true love, the man of her dreams, the first man she ever sinned with.

…in which, Emilio Largo and Bond, playing Chemin de Fer for high stakes, spar in a battle of words. Bond casually remarks that he saw in Largo “a spectre of defeat” - words that strike Largo with their double meaning - and Bond defeats Largo with the ten of clubs and the five of hearts.

Size: 8.375" square

Print: $60 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $4,500.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

Goldfinger: "Reflections in a Double Bourbon"

…in which Bond reflects moodily over life and death and the last man he dispatched - as part of his profession to kill people. It had been a squalid affair, dangerous and without any redeeming features - but Bond did as he was told. The death of a Mexican narco-trafficer smuggling heroin into Britain had to be stopped at all costs. Bond parries the knife strike and with a Commando blow to the chin and throat, sends the drug dealer to his death. Bond gloomily orders another double bourbon with the full intention of “getting stinking drunk” whilst waiting for his flight to Miami.

Size: 8.375" square

Print: $60 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $4,500.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

Skyfall: "Sacrificed for Queen & Country"

…in which Bond sacrifices his ancestral home Skyfall in an attempt to save M’s life, only to see his Aston Martin DB5 destroyed by Raoul Silva, ex-MI6 agent-turned-cyber terrorist, and M mortally wounded. As Skyfall burns to the ground, Silva drops to the floor by a knife thrown by Bond. M, too, collapses and dies in Bond’s arms. Back in London - days later - Bond’s new boss, Mallory, queries Bond about his mental and physical state and his readiness to carry on as a “double-ought” agent.

Size: 8.375" square

Print: $60 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $4,500.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

You Only Live Twice: "Dr. Shatterhand's Banquet of Death"

…in which Tiger Tanaka, Head of Japanese Secret Service, and Bond, enjoy an “o-furo” - the traditional and honorable sulphur bath, get blazing drunk on five bottles of Saké each, trade Haiku poems, share the secrets of Dr. Shatterhand’s poisonous Garden of Delights, and eat a deadly blow-fish - “Fugu” - for dinner. Bond, relieved that he survived his meal, ponders the popular dish for suicides and murderers and remarks that it’s “just what he would have chosen” for his last meal. Meanwhile, on an island off of Fukuoka…

Size: 8.375" square

Print: $60 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $4,500.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

Quantum of Solace: "A Pair of Nines"

…in which Bond puts a stop to arms being smuggled from Jamaica and the Bahamas to Castro’s rebels in Cuba - a job he didn’t relish, as his sympathies were with the Cuban rebels. At dinner with the Governor of Nassau, while enjoying brandy and Cuban cigars, conversation drifts over the complexity of human relationships and the common factor in all relations…the Law of the Quantum of Solace…upon which all love and friendship is based - the Comédie Humaine, where human passions are raw and real.

Size: 8.375" square

Print: $60 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $4,500.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

M's Directive: "Carry On, Double-Oh-Seven"

…in which the objects of Bond’s daily life are exhibited throughout all his assignments and stories, and with which he must carry out the responsibilities of his 007 - License to Kill - status. A vodka martini - shaken not stirred.A Walther PPK, 7.6 mm, with a “delivery like a brick through a plate glass window. Takes a Brausch silencer with very little reduction in muzzle velocity. The American CIA swear by them.” His passport - always in his own name. And the ubiquitous cigarette - custom made by Morlands, with three gold bands and a blend of Balkan and Turkish tobacco.

Size: 8.375" square

Print: $60 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $4,500.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass

Casino Royalé: "A Whisper of Love - A Whisper of Hate"

…in which Bond and the villain Le Chiffre engage in a life and death game of Baccarat. Dealt the two red queens against Le Chiffre’s king and three, Bond’s fate rests in his next card. He draws a nine - the card known in gypsy magic as “a whisper of love, a whisper of hate” - a card that meant almost certain victory for Bond. Le Chiffre draws a five, thinking that he has won. The croupier flicks Bond’s cards over - “Et le Neuf” and “le Baccarat” is Bond’s. Le Chiffre goes down in defeat with a loss of his personal fortune, sealing his death warrant at the hands of SMERSH.

Size: 3.75" x 7.675"

Print: $30 + mailing cost

Original Painting: $2,500.00 framed in gun-metal gray with museum quality matt and glass